Open Meadow |

Open Meadow is committed to hiring candidates to serve a multicultural student population.

POSITION TITLE: Development Director
POSITION REF: 2008-03
REPORTS TO: Executive Director
FLSA STATUS: Exempt; 1.0 FTE; 40 hrs/wk, 12 mths/yr
STARTING SALARY RANGE: Negotiable
START DATE: May 1, 2008
CLOSING DATE: Open until filled

Open Meadow Alternative Schools, an accredited, private school established in 1971, offers a personalized educational experience for middle and high school youth who have not fared well in public schools. Located in North Portland and serving students from ages 10 – 21, Open Meadow provides five programs to nearly 600 students: Open Meadow Middle School, Open Meadow High School, Corps Restoring the Urban Environment (CRUE), STEP-UP Tutoring and Mentoring, and Career Services. Our mission is to serve young people in a learning culture that emphasizes mutual respect, personal responsibility, academics, and service to the community. Open Meadow successfully re-engages disconnected youth in their education, providing academic and support services to those at high risk of dropping out of school. All students work toward high school graduation, college education or career placement. We encourage you to visit our website at http://www.openmeadow.org.

These are exciting times for Open Meadow. Our organization has experienced significant growth in the past few years as demand for services has increased. This demand continues to rise, reflecting the growing popularity of and need for Open Meadow’s programs. As a consequence, the organization is positioning itself to better meet the challenges – and opportunities – that growth presents. Open Meadow is now seeking an accomplished Development Director to help it meet these challenges.

POSITION SUMMARY:
The ideal candidate will be a seasoned fundraising professional with an entrepreneurial spirit, pro-active style and a proven ability to create opportunities and develop long-term relationships. The successful candidate must possess the capacity to partner with the Executive Director, Board Members and the Senior Leaders in the Organization to design and oversee the strategic planning and management of comprehensive development goals to support the organization. The Development Director is supported by a Development Associate and Community Partnerships Manager to manage our donor database, coordinate grant writing, assist in special events, and coordinate volunteer activities.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Fundraising /Development:
• Provide leadership to the Board Marketing and Development Committee and Executive Director to secure financial resources necessary for the health of the organization, and achievement of objectives.
• Develop, review and approve long and short term development strategy to identify, cultivate, and secure funding sources.
• Steward relationships with Foundations, Corporations, and Individual donors to support the development efforts.
• Determine appropriate strategies and priorities for increasing existing gifts from current donors.
• Develop innovative ways to cultivate new and prospective donors.
• Manage the planning and execution of an expected capital campaign.
• Identify prospects and facilitate the cultivation and acquisition of major campaign gifts.
• Design and implement comprehensive donor recognition programs.
• Serve as principal staff to the Open Meadow Board of Directors Development and Marketing Committee.
• Develop and implement a strategy to integrate fundraising as a central function for all Board members.
• Provide training and materials for board members and volunteers to support their facilitation of the development process.
• Supervise development program support staff, including developing staffing plans, compensation, hiring, training, professional development, supervision, and evaluation.

Grants Management:
• Review, negotiate, approve, and consult with Executive Director and Board when necessary to execute Agency proposals.
• Research new foundation prospects and manage grant writing calendar to ensure timely submission of proposals, budgets, updates, and end-of-year reports to corporate, foundation and/or government funders.
• Ensure that contract requirements, data collection, and preparation of client and financial reports are completed by the organization.

Marketing & Public Relations:
• Oversee the design and production of public relations materials, i.e. website, brochure, newsletter, annual report, press releases, etc.
• Identify and strengthen key relationships with the business community, and other organizations that improve the Agency’s ability to execute the Mission.
• Build relationships with the media to increase in-kind support to effectively develop awareness of Open Meadow with the community.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible fund development experience with a measurable record of accomplishment and professional growth. Passion for the organization’s mission.
• Fundraising with an emphasis on individual donor acquisition, major gifts, and stewardship.
• Excellent database experience, preferably Raiser’s Edge.
• Development and community networking skills.
• Ability to work on numerous projects concurrently while achieving results and meeting deadlines with a positive attitude and professional demeanor.
• Superior oral and written communication skills.
• The ability to develop and implement communications and messaging plans for various constituent groups.
• Program planning, and development.
• Negotiation skills.
• Financial management and planning.
• Staff supervision skills.
• Ongoing commitment to professional development.

Please email your cover letter and resume and salary requirements to . Please reference position number 2008-03. Thank you for your interest in Open Meadow!